By Jack Watson SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Syracuse public employees came back to work Tuesday after a day off on Monday for Columbus Day.
But on Columbus Day, at the downtown Columbus Circle statue, activists gathered to protest the honoring of Christopher Columbus, whom they argue is responsible for atrocities against the native population upon arriving from Europe.
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, according to speaker Andy Mager, is comprised mostly of non-Native American people. The group’s Monday demonstration sought to celebrate indigenous people instead of Columbus.
“It’s part of our effort to recognize the sovereignty and history and survival of the indigenous native Americans here,” said NOON committee member Hilary-Anne Coppola, “as well as to gain attention about the atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus during his time in the Americas.
Several U.S. cities are choosing not to honor Christopher Columbus, including the capital city of Ohio, which was named for the explorer. Syracuse, however, has not changed the name of the holiday.
“(Columbus Day) commemorates basically the beginnings of a cataclysmic encounter between Europe and indigenous people,” said Scott Manning Stevens, Syracuse University’s director of Native American and Indigenous Studies.
Professor Stevens notes that Italian-Americans once looked to the holiday celebrating Columbus, as a source of pride.
“Every community has the right to celebrate its own heroes, although there’s a sense of triumphalism, that we would like people to pause and say, ‘maybe this isn’t the best way to acknowledge this historical event.’”
Syracuse University students and staff set up a table outside the school’s Schine Student Center Monday to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day. S.U. began formally celebrating the day as Indigenous People’s Day in 2016.
Syracuse public employees are back on the job after a day off on Monday for Columbus Day.
But on Columbus Day, at the downtown Columbus Circle statue, a petition to stop honoring Columbus.
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, according to one speaker, is comprised mostly of non-native american people. Their Monday demonstration sought to celebrate indigenous people instead of Columbus.
Committee member Hilary-Anne Coppola is here because she feels strongly that Columbus should not be celebrated.
Coppola: It’s part of our effort to recognize the sovereignty and history and survival of the indigenous native Americans here, as well as to gain attention about the atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus during his time in the americas.
Watson: More and more American cities are now not celebrating Columbus Day, instead opting to honor indigenous people. Columbus, Ohio, is now honoring veterans on that day, but here in Syracuse, the explorer is still celebrated.
Stevens: This commemorates basically the beginnings of a cataclysmic encounter between Europe and indigenous people.
Professor Scott Manning Stevens is syracuse university’s director of native american and indigenous studies. Professor Stevens notes that Italian-Americans once used the holiday as a source of pride, but says at this point in time, Columbus Day has run its course.
Stevens: Every community has the right to celebrate its own heroes, although there’s a sense of triumphalism, that we would like people to pause and say, maybe this isn’t the best way to acknowledge this historical event.
SU’s switch to Indigenous People’s Day came in 2016. Students manned a table outside the school’s student center Monday to show they want the day to be about Native American culture, instead of Columbus. It’s yet to be seen whether the Syracuse City officials will share the sentiments of the students and the demonstrators.
